Police stop students during a protest march demanding justice in the rape and murder of a law student in Kochi, Kerala. (PTI photo)
Union Minister for Social Justice Thawar Chand Gehlot today visited the mother of a Dalit woman, who was brutally raped and killed, and assured her that the government would ensure that the family gets justice.
The minister visited her at the Taluk hospital where she is undergoing treatment since the incident and consoled her as she broke down.
Mr Gehlot kept the media at bay, saying as the Model Code of Conduct was in place due to the May 16 Assembly elections in Kerala, he would not make any statement.
The minister said he had been deputed by the Rajya Sabha and would be reporting to the Upper House tomorrow at 11 am.
The issue of the brutal rape and murder of the woman, a law student, on April 28 at her home was raised in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha yesterday.
Mr Gehlot held a meeting with the district officials and investigating officers in the case at Aluva.
National Women's Commission chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam also visited the victim's mother and said, "The whole country is shocked that such a brutality has taken place."
National Commission for Scheduled Caste Chairman PL Punia was among the early callers at the hospital to meet her.
"The mother's entire life depended on her daughter. She had high expectations from her and her dreams have been shattered with her daughter's death...a very unfortunate incident," he told reporters.